Young Brave Hearts – CH 069

Chapter 69

His voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was like a sharp knife piercing the noisy dining table.

Both he and his words carried an untamed, roguish air, catching everyone off guard.

In an instant, everyone stared at him, stunned.

Zhao Xiaoqiu was even slower to realize that the handsome, aristocratic man before her was Lu Rangchen, the very same Lu Rangchen she had just used to humiliate Zhu Yunque, the very same Lu Rangchen that almost every girl in school had a crush on.

Sometimes, you had to admit, time was quite unfair.

For ordinary people, time was a cruel butcher’s knife, but for some, it was a catalyst for becoming better.

For example, there was Lu Rangchen, with his striking good looks and commanding presence, and then there was Zhu Yunque, who could become the center of attention simply by sitting there silently.

Even more ironic.

Zhao Xiaoqiu had intended to use Lu Rangchen to embarrass Zhu Yunque, but the boomerang had come back to bite her; the person in question had appeared and delivered a resounding slap in the face.

Zhao Xiaoqiu’s eyes trembled slightly from the rebuke, and she instinctively stammered, “Lu Rangchen, what are you doing here?”

Although she knew Lin Zhinian, that didn’t mean Lu Rangchen remembered Zhao Xiaoqiu.

He wasn’t one to always be merciful and kind; he simply raised an eyebrow mockingly and said, “Who are you?”

His ambiguous tone, while seemingly smiling, delivered a slap in the face like a tornado, instantly darkening Zhao Xiaoqiu’s expression.

Just then, a boy across from her, who had long disliked her, chuckled.

Her cheeks instantly burned red like a sunset.

Zhao Xiaoqiu simply fell silent.

Lu Rangchen, however, wouldn’t let it go.

Leaning back lazily, he smirked and said, “Weren’t you quite aware of everything earlier? Why did you stop?”

He was probably used to managing those punks at the club.

He always exuded a kind of oppressive aura that most people lacked.

He seemed nonchalant and carefree, yet every word he spoke precisely suppressed the other person’s presence, making them hesitant to approach.

The atmosphere visibly stagnated.

Zhao Xiaoqiu’s face turned pale, then flushed, and she desperately wanted to say something to salvage the situation.

Unexpectedly, a soft, delicate hand gently touched Lu Rangchen’s trouser leg under the table.

He was wearing a very loose, casual style, his firm, long legs swaying loosely inside. Zhu Yunque didn’t dare touch him directly, only lightly pinching the crease.

Like a kitten scratching at your heart.

Lu Rangchen’s eyelids twitched, and a glance swept over her face.

Zhu Yunque’s makeup was very light that day, her profile exquisitely beautiful. The way she turned her head and glanced at him lightly possessed a gentle, refined charm, except for a small cut on her lip, tinged with pink.

She didn’t speak, but her expression clearly said, “That’s enough.”

Lu Rangchen’s eyebrows twitched; for a moment, he really wanted to laugh.

A surge of energy welled up within him, and a barely perceptible smirk played on his lips as he deliberately looked at her in front of the entire table and said, “Why are you pulling at me?”

His tone clearly indicated that the two were very familiar with each other, not at all like old, estranged lovers.

The expressions on everyone’s faces were varied, thoroughly engrossed in the gossip.

Zhu Yunque was truly speechless.

Seeing her stare at him like that, Lu Rangchen’s gaze swept casually across her face, and he raised an eyebrow, saying, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

As he spoke, his leg under the table deliberately bumped against hers.

A silent tension simmered between them.

“…”

Zhu Yunque’s heart skipped a beat.

Sometimes she really wanted to punch him.

He was such a strange man; last night he bit her hard, venting his anger on her, but the next day he was doing the same thing.

She had no idea how Lu Rangchen knew she was here.

She also had no idea what he wanted.

Her shoulders were tense, and all she could say was, “It’s a nice dinner; don’t ruin it.”

As she spoke, she glanced at Lu Rangchen, her eyes holding a hint of schadenfreude. She pursed her lips and said, “Wasn’t what you got from Old Liu last time enough?”

She lowered her voice for the last sentence, making sure only the two of them could hear.

The others weren’t stupid.

Judging from the exchange of glances and their demeanor, they knew their relationship wasn’t what Zhao Xiaoqiu described.

Zhao Xiaoqiu had really bitten off more than she could chew.

She simply fiddled with her phone with a sullen expression, pretending to be busy, to avoid further embarrassment.

Lu Rangchen didn’t even bother to pay attention to the others at the table.

From the moment he entered, his deep, dark eyes had only seen Zhu Yunque.

Hearing her words, Lu Rangchen let out a muffled, mocking laugh, openly glancing at her, and said, “Do you have any conscience?”

His voice wasn’t loud.

It was as if he was deliberately lowering his voice, whispering only to her.

Zhu Yunque’s heart skipped a beat.

Without looking at him, she picked up her water glass, took a sip, and then softly said, “No.”

That’s just how she was.

Even if she had ten points in her heart, she only showed three on the surface.

Stubborn to the point of being helpless, yet incredibly alluring.

Lu Rangchen knew her personality all too well and knew that her stubborn temper wouldn’t subside anytime soon, so he could only chuckle helplessly.

Just then, the man at the opposite table, eager to strike up a conversation with Lu Rangchen, came over.

The two of them avoided each other and didn’t continue their conversation.

The person was the one who had previously admired Lu Rangchen during their conversation. Seizing the opportune moment, he quickly introduced himself.

Although Lu Rangchen was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he was never arrogant or haughty. He was quite casual about making friends; if someone initiated a conversation, he would chat. That’s how everyone at the table was—a casual acquaintance.

As they chatted, Zhu Yunque listened silently, from how Lu Rangchen’s club started to the commercial value of the tennis team and the club’s main projects.

As the conversation progressed, more and more people joined in.

Zhu Yunque, however, didn’t say a word, only occasionally glancing at Lu Rangchen.

When she looked at Lu Rangchen, he looked at her—a perfect understanding.

Their gazes lingered, seemingly never leaving each other.

It had to be said, this man possessed a magical, alluring charm. He had not needed to do anything deliberately; he just sat there casually and breathed. He exuded enough allure to make one’s heart flutter.

However, she wasn’t the only one whose heart was fluttering; the other girls at the table were too.

Even knowing his relationship with Zhu Yunque was special, the interest and admiration in their eyes couldn’t be hidden.

Zhu Yunque couldn’t quite describe the feelings she was experiencing.

Perhaps it was the lingering emotions from last night, perhaps jealousy, or perhaps confusion—confusion about his presence here and how he had helped her out of an awkward situation.

But before she could ask, the food began to be served.

To be honest, Niu Haifeng was quite considerate; he chose a good hotel, and the dishes he ordered weren’t cheap.

Once everyone was seated, he immediately came over to greet them.

The first thing he saw was Lu Rangchen.

Niu Haifeng was stunned; he never expected him to come.

After all, he had left after finishing his second year of high school, so even if he wanted to notify him, he wouldn’t have been able to.

Lu Rangchen explained casually, raising an eyebrow and saying, “I heard about it from Zhu Yunque. I happened to have some free time, so I came over, hoping to see you.”

He glanced at Zhu Yunque as he finished speaking.

Niu Haifeng looked at the two of them.

Teachers were experienced and immediately sensed the awkward atmosphere between them, belatedly asking, “Oh, you two know each other?”

Zhu Yunque nodded instinctively, saying she knew him.

Unexpectedly, Lu Rangchen spoke at the same time, his words carrying a deeper meaning: “More than just knowing each other.”

Being looked at like that, Zhu Yunque’s heart skipped a beat.

Sensing a hint of grudge or resentment in his voice, Niu Haifeng chuckled and teased, “What, you two have a grudge?”

A dozen pairs of eyes were burning into the two of them.

Just when Zhu Yunque thought Lu Rangchen was about to do something mischievous again, he smirked, staring straight at her, and said mercifully, “No, just my younger sister’s teacher.”

As he spoke, he looked at Zhu Yunque with a serious expression, his tone playful and mischievous, saying, “Of course, you have to get along well with your teacher.”

“…”

Because of this, Zhu Yunque didn’t acknowledge him once throughout the entire meal.

Lu Rangchen, on the other hand…

Seemingly nonchalant, he secretly served her a lot of food.

Even though he didn’t like crab, he still peeled off some crab roe and put it on her plate, having an excuse—”to get along well with my younger sister’s teacher.” Even though Zhu Yunque was still upset, she wouldn’t go so far as to sullenly eat the food; in the end, she obediently ate it all.

After the meal, she and Li Chan went to find Niu Haifeng and secretly gave him a red envelope.

Niu Haifeng declined several times but finally accepted Li Chan’s.

Li Chan smiled and said, “The red envelope isn’t much, just a token. Please accept it; don’t mind.”

Niu Haifeng smiled broadly. After all, this was a student he had mentored, now working at a listed company in Nancheng. The thought filled him with pride.

Of course, what made him even prouder were Lu Rangchen and Zhu Yunque.

After Li Chan left, he spoke to Zhu Yunque alone.

Zhu Yunque gave a slight smirk and said, “There’s nothing to be proud of. The school is private, and the classes I teach aren’t exactly top-tier.”

Niu Haifeng disagreed, saying, “That has nothing to do with whether it’s private or not. What matters is whether you’ve realized your value. I’ve heard people talk about you. They say the English scores of the classes you taught have improved significantly, and the problem students have become much more well-behaved. Even your principal praised you highly. Shouldn’t you be praised?”

Zhu Yunque wasn’t used to being praised, so she just smiled and remained silent.

Niu Haifeng asked her again, “But I’m quite curious; you were doing so well teaching at the Imperial International School. Why did you suddenly come back?”

Although Yuhua’s benefits were good, they couldn’t compare to those of that school.

Niu Haifeng really didn’t understand why she was willing to give up her promising future.

Zhu Yunque had never been asked such a serious question by anyone before.

Perhaps the weight of a mentor simply carried more weight.

Zhu Yunque pursed her lips and told the truth, saying, “Because there’s someone in Nancheng I can’t let go of.”

Who that person was was self-evident.

By this point, Niu Haifeng also understood their relationship. He smiled and nodded, saying, “Yes, if it’s him, it’s normal not to be able to let go.”

“After all, many of the girls I taught back then still have fond memories of him.”

“…”

Zhu Yunque’s brow twitched; she suddenly felt very embarrassed. Unexpectedly, Niu Haifeng refused her red envelope at that moment, saying, “Since that’s the case, I won’t accept yours. Lu Rangchen just gave yours along with his.”

Hearing the last sentence, Zhu Yunque was slightly taken aback and said, “Lu Rangchen gave it for me?”

Niu Haifeng replied, “Yes, he gave quite a few, saying it was for both of you.”

Niu Haifeng had many relatives and friends to attend to and didn’t have time to chat with Zhu Yunque. In short, that day, Zhu Yunque’s prepared red envelope was never given out.

Her feelings were inexplicably complicated.

She felt somewhat lost.

It was then that she came out of the hotel lobby and turned her head to see Lu Rangchen leaning against a trash can, casually smoking.

His tall, languid figure, leaning against the wall, exuded an extraordinary and distinguished aura.

A scarlet cigarette dangled between his long, slender fingers, shrouded in a bluish-white smoke. His eyes were half-closed, his gaze arrogant and wild, seemingly intent on devouring her.

Her heart leaped.

Zhu Yunque stood frozen, holding her breath.

Lu Rangchen glanced at her through the smoke, as if he’d been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing her, he impatiently stubbed out the cigarette.

Letting the smell of smoke linger on him, he leisurely reached into his pockets and stepped forward.

He gestured with his chin towards the door.

Lu Rangchen lowered his eyelids, his deep, dark eyes fixed on Zhu Yunque. He gave a slight twitch of his lips and said, “Want to go back together?”